The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued show cause orders against over 300 candidates for the October 2023 Barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) over alleged campaign violations.
Interviewed on Dobol B TV on Saturday, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said, “As of kahapon, nasa 341 [candidates] na ang naisyuhan ng show cause para sa illegal campaigning (As of yesterday, about 341 were already issued with show cause for illegal campaigning).”
Garcia said among the violations include having campaign posters that are more than the prescribed size and placing their campaign materials in unauthorized areas.
On Friday, the Comelec launched the Nationwide Simultaneous Operation Baklas for the BSKE as it reminded candidates to follow the Comelec’s campaign rules and only place their materials in allowed areas.
“Outside ng common poster areas, illegal na ‘yan. Private property, legal yan basta magko-comply sa 2 x 3,” Garcia said earlier.
(Outside common poster areas, that’s illegal. Private property, that’s legal as long as these comply with [the size] of 2 x 3 [feet].)
He reminded candidates that the allowable sizes for election materials were 8.5 x 14 inches for flyers, 2 x 3 feet for tarpaulins, and 3 x 8 feet for streamers.
These materials may only be displayed in common posting areas.
In his interview with dzBB, Garcia said the Comelec is preparing a resolution on how it can suspend the proclamation of winning candidates who have pending cases.
“Willing tayong mag-disqualify ng mga kandidatong mapapatunayang may paglabag (We are willing to disqualify candidates who will be found to have violations),” Garcia said.
The campaign period for BSKE started on October 19 and will end on October 28.
Campaigning is again prohibited from October 29 to October 30, alongside selling, buying, or taking intoxicating liquor.
On Election Day on October 30, casting of votes will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Counting and canvassing of votes and proclamation of winning candidates will immediately proceed after the closing of polls.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has declared October 30 as a special non-working day throughout the country for the BSKE. —KG, GMA Integrated News
